Merry Christmas to all of the wonderful piano teachers out there.  This poem is from December’s Music Talk 2008.  Hope you enjoy it!

“A Piano Teacher’s Wish List”

Lessons go as usual before the Christmas break,

Each bag and book are opened up for music goals to make.

This is the week a gift is brought, all wrapped and tied with style.

A candle or a homemade card are given with a smile.

There’s chocolate cookies, peach preserves, a frame around a quote;

A dishtowel or a can of nuts, a pad for writing notes.

There’s ornaments to hang on trees, each with a Christmas scene,

A picture or a calendar with music as its theme.

Students are excited as they hand each gift to me.

Their thoughtfulness is touching and I thank them cheerfully.

But what a teacher really wants is not beneath those bows.

Our list is long and personal, and not what you’d suppose.

A wish for Weston never to forget his books again,

For Jamie to be brought on time, and not just now and then.

Would Sarah, Dave and Charlie learn to play pianissimo,

And know that sneezing on the keys is just not apropos?

A wish that Ethan wouldn’t talk so much throughout his lesson,

And Caroline to talk enough to answer just one question.

Chopsticks played prestissimo is not a piano piece,

And Grandmas need to lay off teaching grandkids “Fur Elise”!

We’d wish for Tim to wash his hands and Beth to cut her nails,

And when he asks to be excused, a better aim for Dale.

Of course, we’d wish for practicing to happen every day,

And for tuition payments to come in without delay.

The best wish though, is at the top, we find it worth the reaching,

To help each student learn to love this music we are teaching.

Merry Christmas to all you wonderful teachers

who are involved in this noble pursuit!